"If They've Outgrown Nap, They've Outgrown My Program"

[MNMum]

Does anyone have a policy for a young toddler who refuses to nap? I feel awful that I have not been able to get this kiddo to nap. I've had her since 12 weeks, Tues and Thursday. Parents work fulltime, she is with gma M, W, F. She is 14 mos old. I've tried more naps, fewer naps, everything. She will wake up after 30-45 minutes and scream her bloody head off. I'm at my wits end and cannot take it any longer. I've opened dialogue with dad, explaining I will be calling mom to discuss schedules. The family is great but I'm not convinced anything is going to fix her nap issues here. They have not been consistent with wake up time with her. Some days she gets up at 6:30, today they let her sleep in till 7:30 then brought her. When she gets up early, I can put her down for an early nap in the am, then sometimes have luck with her napping again in the afternoon. But the inconsistency is driving me insane...

[blandino]

We had a Very similar issue with a child at about the same age. She literally wasn't sleeping all day, maybe 20 minutes, and would just scream and scream. After lots of troubleshooting with the mother, we thought we were out of options and would have to term her. Her mom was very frustrated, and said at home she "just puts her thumb in her mouth and goes to sleep". We had never ever seen this child **** her thumb. Her mom said she puts her thumb in her mouth the minute she gets her blanket. So the mom said she would send her blanket the next day. I thought "yeah, right - this isn't going to change anything". The next day at nap, we handed her the blanket- she popped her thumb in her mouth, and laid her head down. I was shocked - I really didn't think it could make that kind of difference - especially because she hadnt had it at our house from 9-13 months. But it made a world of difference.

Maybe ask the parents of they have anything they do to put her to sleep ? Not that you should follow their routine... (I'm not suggesting that), but maybe that will help you find the missing piece of the puzzle...

[littlemissmuffet]

She's only with you 2 days a week... and with grandma the other 3... to me, that's why she's not napping. And to be perfectly honest, probably never will. There's not enough time for her to get into a routine at your house during the week. I personally would terminate, as I don't keep kids who do not nap.

[Cat Herder]

Part-time and Nap-time have never really been friends, IMHO.

[providerandmomof4]

I don't know....I find that with babies/young toddlers, it's hard to predict how they will sleep from day to day. I have one baby that requires very little sleep. In the afternoon she will have a nap, but sometimes only 30 mins. Every once in a while she will take a small nap in the morn. I just really never know.

My other baby that is older (11 mths) lays down for a nap every 2 to 3 hrs, and sleeps for an hour.

I nap the babies when they are tired. They have their own little routines and I know what each of them require. Sometimes this means that they are up when my older (2-4)yr olds nap in the afternoon. I guess what I'm saying is that they're unpredictable. I understand what you are saying and it is frustrating when they're all on different schedules but......sometimes......that's just how it is....imo

[makap]

I agree with the other posters regarding part time and napping.

Part time children are very difficult to get into a nap time routine or even any other kind of routine.

I do not do part time anymore for this reason.

[cheerfuldom]

the only way a part timer works is if they are super super easy (rare) or older and can adjust well to the changing days or lastly, if all caregivers are on the same schedule. she naps one way for you, then one way for grandma and then one way for parents on the weekend. EVERYONE needs to be consistent about wake time, meals, play time (make sure she gets energy out and is not cooped up or plopped in front of the tv), and then naps. where is she sleeping at these other places? does she listen to music? have a lovey? get held or rocked to sleep? given a bottle or sippy before nap?

[DaisyMamma]

We had a Very similar issue with a child at about the same age. She literally wasn't sleeping all day, maybe 20 minutes, and would just scream and scream. After lots of troubleshooting with the mother, we thought we were out of options and would have to term her. Her mom was very frustrated, and said at home she "just puts her thumb in her mouth and goes to sleep". We had never ever seen this child **** her thumb. Her mom said she puts her thumb in her mouth the minute she gets her blanket. So the mom said she would send her blanket the next day. I thought "yeah, right - this isn't going to change anything". The next day at nap, we handed her the blanket- she popped her thumb in her mouth, and laid her head down. I was shocked - I really didn't think it could make that kind of difference - especially because she hadnt had it at our house from 9-13 months. But it made a world of difference.

Maybe ask the parents of they have anything they do to put her to sleep ? Not that you should follow their routine... (I'm not suggesting that), but maybe that will help you find the missing piece of the puzzle...

My daughter has a blankie. I would never consider sending her somewhere without it. I'm shocked it took this long for mom to bring it!